Leptospermum wooroonooran, commonly known as wurunuru or mountain teatree,[2] is a species of stunted tree that is endemic to Queensland where it grows on exposed mountain ridges. It has thin, fibrous or flaky bark, lance-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, white flowers arranged singly on short side shoots and fruit remain on the plant at maturity.
| Leptospermum wooroonooran | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Leptospermum |
| Species: | L. wooroonooran
|
| Binomial name | |
| Leptospermum wooroonooran | |
Description
editLeptospermum wooroonooran is a stunted, sometimes prostrate tree that typically grows to a height of 1–6 m (3 ft 3 in – 19 ft 8 in). It has thin, rough, fibrous or flaky bark, the young stems silky hairy at first with a broad flange near the leaf base. The leaves are lance-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long and 3–7 mm (0.12–0.28 in) wide and strongly-scented when crushed. The flowers are white, 12–20 mm (0.47–0.79 in) in diameter and arranged singly on short side shoots. The flower buds have thin, papery, reddish brown bracts at the base but that fall before the flower opens. The floral cup is glabrous,3.5–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in) long and the sepals are broadly egg-shaped, about 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The petals are 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and the stamens 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) or more long. Flowering mainly in November and the fruit is a capsule 4–5 m (13–16 ft) wide that remains on the plant at maturity.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editLeptospermum wooroonooran was first formally described in 1889 by Frederick Manson Bailey in Archibald Meston's report to the Queensland Government on his Government Scientific Expedition to the Bellenden-Ker Range (Woonooroonan).[4][5]
Distribution and habitat
editWurunuru grows on windswept ridges on the mountains north-west of Mossman, in the Mount Spurgeon-Mount Lewis area and in the Bellenden Ker Range in north Queensland.[2]
Use in horticulture
editThis teatree is sometimes grown in gardens, is suitable for heavy shade and is frost hardy but requires cool, moist conditions.[2][6]
References
edit- ^ "Leptospermum wooroonooran". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Leptospermum wooroonooran". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Joy (1989). "A revision of the genus Leptospermum (Myrtaceae)". Telopea. 3 (3): 392–393. doi:10.7751/telopea19894902.
- ^ "Leptospermum wooroonooran". APNI. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ Bailey, Frederick M.; Meston, Alexander (ed.) (1889). Report of the government scientific expedition to the Bellenden- Ker range upon the flora and fauna of that part of the colony. Brisbane: Government Printer. p. 40. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help) - ^ "Leptospermum woonooroonan". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 16 June 2020.